President William Ruto has pledged to complete ongoing government projects in Taita Taveta County. Speaking at a roadside rally in Bura, Mwatate constituency on Sunday, Ruto acknowledged that some of these projects were impacted by the recent rejection of the Finance Bill, which may delay their completion.
Addressing the crowd after a church service at ACK Ng’ambwa, Ruto assured residents that his administration remains committed to funding critical initiatives, including electricity connections, water supply, and road construction in the county.
“Certain individuals sought to obstruct our progress by opposing a bill crucial for these projects. Despite this setback, I remain dedicated to advancing development in this region,” Ruto stated.
The President emphasized the opportunity to restart and involve everyone in fostering national prosperity. He highlighted the restructuring of his cabinet to ensure greater inclusivity and regional representation.
“To move our country forward, we must rise above party and ethnic politics. That’s why I’ve formed a more inclusive government, as many Kenyans have requested,” Ruto explained.
Earlier in the day, Ruto participated in the ceremony for a new school bus donation to Kombolio Secondary School in Mwatate and announced several new initiatives as part of his four-day development tour of the Coast region. These include the construction of 2,000 affordable houses in Voi and Wundanyi and 3,000 hostel units for local educational institutions.
“I will return next month to launch the construction of 1,500 hostel units at Taita Taveta University, 1,000 units for Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, and 600 units for Mwatate Technical Polytechnic,” Ruto confirmed.
He revealed a Sh500 million allocation for the first phase of an electricity connection project in Mwatate, aiming to connect at least 10,000 new residents. “Electricity should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy,” he said.
Ruto also highlighted efforts to create job opportunities for the youth, with 400,000 positions secured abroad. “It’s crucial for leaders to encourage the youth to seize these opportunities,” he added.
Mwatate MP Peter Shake defended his support for the contested Finance Bill, praising its potential benefits for the region. “We’ve chosen to support the government to ensure our region benefits,” he noted.
Women’s Representative Lydia Haika urged the President to engage with local leaders and the council of elders to address regional issues, including the underdeveloped mining sector.
